Establishing Affinity Groups

Establishing Affinity Groups

2015 ACI Conference

IntroductionsJoe Volin

o Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

What are Affinity Groups?Group of alumni that share a common

connection with the universityo Majoro College-basedo Athletico Organizationo Social

Why Affinity Groups?Increased alumni involvement and

contributionsGreater student-alumni interactionGreater alumni-alumni interactionIncreased job placementsIncreased graduate and undergraduate

applicationsAlumni as volunteer resourcesEnhanced data collection

Types of Affinity GroupsFormal

o Executive Committeeo Charter/By-laws

Informalo Volunteer-driven working groupo Department-driven (branded programming)

Affinity Groups at LewisNursing Alumni Network (LU-NAN) – formalAviation Alumni Organization (LU-AAO) –

formal Black Student Union Alumni (LU-BSUA) –

formal Athletics – formal History Connections – informal Golden Flyers – informal

Recognition RequirementsBuy-in/support from partner department, organization, or

groupBase of 300 alumni that may be contacted regarding

involvement.Leadership committee consisting of 10 alumni, including

one staff member from Alumni Relations.Develop a mission, objectives, and bylaws (charter)One member serves a one-year term on LUAA BoDAnnual report presented each yearHold one annual meeting with members.Approval of charter and structure from LUAA BoDAll organizations must be compatible with and supportive

of Lewis University, liberal arts, and our Catholic and Lasallian heritage.

Alumni groups must be financially self-sustaining.

Development Process1. Identification of strong affinity2. Meeting with faculty/staff3. Identification of foundations committee4. Initial meeting with volunteers5. Survey to alumni population6. Charter Development7. Leadership slate development8. Launch event9. Ongoing programming/communication10. Annual meeting 11. Maintaining the group

Development TimelineTimelineJanuary – Conversation with Athletic DirectorFebruary – Presentation to Athletic Coaches March/April – Identification and Qualification of Foundations CommitteeApril/May – Survey DistributionMay/June – Foundations Committee Charter Discussion June – Formal Introduction of group at the Golf OutingOctober – Formal Recognition at LUAA Board meetingOctober – Athletic Affinity Group Launch (Annual Meeting)

Maintaining Affinity GroupsMonthly/Semi-monthly conference callsCommunications (ongoing)Annual meeting….Repeat

Where are we now?LUNAN – Year 3History Connections – Year 3LUAAO – Year 2LUBSUA – Year 2Golden Flyers – Years 1Athletics – in development

Successes – Giving and EngagementGiving July 2013 July 2014 ChangeAll Alumni 1.35 1.377 .027LU-NAN .96 1.1 .14LU-AAO .83 .86 .03LU-BSUA 1.11 2.28 1.17Golden Flyers 5.95 6.03 .08

Engagement July 2013 July 2014 ChangeAll Alumni 9.81 11.02 1.21LU-NAN 8.9 9.94 1.04LU-AAO 8.56 10.95 2.36LU-BSUA 10.37 13.2 2.83Golden Flyers 14.85 20.34 5.49

Successes – Events and Volunteerism

Event Attendance

FY13 FY14 FY15 (To Date)

LU-NAN 42 35 36LU-AAO 40 43 46LU-BSU 8 28 23

Golden Flyers 48 43 50Volunteerism Volunteer Active Affinity

LU-NAN 15 44LU-AAO 30 54

LU-BSUA 10 49Golden Flyers 10 14

ChallengesLack of support from departmentVolunteer burnoutFaculty ambitionOutsider’s view

Sample ProposalAthletic Alumni Affinity Group

ProposalJanuary 2015

 Purpose

 Structure

 Goals

 Possible goals include:

Justification 

Timeline

Sample CharterARTICLE I:NAME ARTICLE II: MEMBERS 2. LU-AAO shall be authorized, but shall not be required, to collect dues from members. The Executive Committee is authorized to decide whether to charge dues, and is authorized to make decisions regarding the timing and amount of dues obligations for members, and is required to notify members of same in a timely fashion.  ARTICLE III:MISSION AND OBJECTIVES ARTICLE IV:ORGANIZATION 1. LU-AAO shall operate as a Chapter of the Lewis University Alumni Association (LUAA), so long as the LUAA allows LU-AAO to do so. D. The President of LU-AAO (or nominee of the Executive Committee) shall attend meetings of, and serve on the Board of Directors of LUAA, so long as LUAA shall allow. Service on the Board of Directors of LUAA shall be subject to the policies and procedures of LUAA. The President shall chair each meeting of the Executive Committee and be responsible for ensuring the execution of the resolutions and policies of the Executive Committee. The President is also an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees. 5. At an Annual Meeting, the voting members of LU-AAO may amend this Charter by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. The annual meeting shall be held in the spring (March/April) unless otherwise determined by the Executive Committee for the purpose of maximizing participation. 

Sample GoalsProfessional Development Committee Strengthen career conference to provide opportunities to alumni to learn more about

different areas in aviation. Work with faculty to educate students on different areas in aviation. Implement two webinars over the course of the year.

Networking Committee Develop a social media presence for LU-AAO. Host an event in the Spring 2015 for aviation alumni and graduating students to

emphasize networking and mentoring. Develop a newsletter to be distributed to all aviation alumni. Develop a communication plan to build awareness with current students.

Questions??

Contact InformationJoe Volin

o volinjo@lewisu.eduo (815) 836-5472